Hi Guys~

I'm Korean guy to start traveling in South America, like Che

but I can't ship to S.America because I m poor student.

So, if it is possible, I'd like to buy new(used ok) motorcycle in Colombia.

i already know that foreigners can buy it in there.

My question is which motor i can buy in my budget.

My range of budget is $800 to $1300.

i'd like to see "brand, capacity, new or used, manual or automatic, etc

my favorite brand is SYM, and if you can do it, I'd like to see how much wolf 125, SYM is.


Any information to need to know will meet with a favorable reception.

Thank you a lot!!!!!!

In Peru, as a foreigner you can buy a motorcycle. All you need is to get a permission (here in Peru). It costs $6 and takes 1 hour.

I can also find you a new 200cc Sumo or 200cc Ronco with good suspension and racks for under $1,500. Go new! As I live in Peru, I can also get the paperwork done for you BEFORE you arrive so that you can begin your travels RIGHT AWAY!!

Toby

Try mercado libre which is craigslist for latin america.

I looked at buying new in Colombia. You could get a GN125 brand new for $1850 US dollars with taxes for a year before any haggling (though I wouldn't expect $600 off). Used seems to hold their value as they are either new or ridden into the ground. Email the Suzuki dealer in Cali they speak English (or one of the sales people).

I didn't see any Sym dealers. You might get a Hero 100cc bike for $1500, I did have a quick look at them but dismissed them for size. There are a lot riding around with 50000kms plus though.

Peru might be cheaper if you can get there.

Thank you for your letter.

I m really moved by your favor.

Then, if i decide to find motorbike in Lima, How could you help me?

Please answer!!

Take Care

Han,

Don't try to do it in Lima! It is more expensive (because of taxes in the capitol) and the paperwork takes longer (more buracracy!) I am in Huanuco, Peru, an 8 hr bus ride or 35 min flight from Lima and everything is less expensive and easier! Besides, you do not want to ride on the coast. Too dangerous (buses and trucks) for a small moto (less than 600cc) and very boring (plus fuel is 20% more expensive).

I could not help you in Lima. All my good contacts are where I live, in Huanuco. And you want to ride on the central Andean road (3N/3S) to see the best of Peru!

Toby

I am not sure if you can buy a bike easily in Colombia as a foreigner. I have a friend in Bogota wjo sells used bikes. I can give to his contact info if you want.

When I was there it seemed possible. I went to the dmv equivalent even to check it out.

I just bought a new bike in Bogotá as a foreigner. It's pretty simple actually--after you pay, they need a few days to prep the bike just like anywhere else.

The dealer prepares the paperwork, which includes plates, title, SOAT (mandatory insurance for personal harm caused while riding the bike) etc. Note that some of the paperwork costs extra--mine was about $300 on top of the cost of the bike, but this might be bike-specific. The dealer gave me the option of filling out the papers on the bike in a different city where they also have a dealership in order to save some money (about $50 if I recall correctly) but you might not have this option depending on where you buy your bike. I chose Bogotá plates because he suggested the bike might face less scrutiny at border crossings.

While they are prepping the bike, go to SIM, which is the Colombian department of motor vehicles, to get your name in the driver registry, called the "RUNT." You just need to bring your passport and tell them "necesito inscribirme en el RUNT." I had to wait for 20 or 30 minutes, provide them with an address, and that was it. But, it could take a few days for them to put you in the system, so if you don't want any delays from the dealership's end you should probably do this before or immediately after you buy the bike.

As for brands, there are a few options in that price range down here but I've heard different things about reliability for long trips. Indian brands Bajaj/Boxer and Pulsar are everywhere, and Colombia imports Chinese bikes under the brand AKT Motos. There are also plenty of cheaper Hondas and Suzukis you can look into, but you might need to look for used bikes to fit your price range.

I'm doing a similar trip to yours--Colombia down to the Argentine Patagonia, back up through Brazil and on the Amazon over to Colombia again. Let me know if you have any other questions about the process!

-Marc